The faculty union of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) unanimously rejected a proposed contract from the college Friday.

The vote was the first since the union formed in March 2015 and followed over a year of bargaining meetings. Disagreements over salary increases, faculty evaluations and other contract terms caused the union to "overwhelmingly" reject the agreement, according to Michigan Education Association attorney Ted Iorio.

"(NMC's) proposal does not provide any guaranteed wage or benefits over the term of a three-year contract," says Iorio. "The college proposes merit pay as determined by the administration without any objective criteria...(and) gives the college the complete and sole discretion to change any benefits within the term of the contract." According to Iorio, the proposal "slams the door on any collaboration with the faculty."

NMC Vice President of Finance and Administration Vicki Cook said in a statement that salary increases requested by faculty would "put the college in a financially unstable position" and that NMC owed "it to the students paying tuition and the taxpayers of this region to negotiate a contract that ensures that the college is able to offer the services that provide and support lifelong learning.”

“We are disappointed the MEA rejected the contract proposal," Cook said. "The college remains committed to working toward a contract that is in the best interest of NMC faculty, students, and the community,"